Friday, March 18, 2022
I first met Doug in 1948, the year my family moved from Barrington Passage to Oakfield. I was just two years old and my dad, Bentley Fullerton, had been transferred by Nova Scotia Light and Power to manage the district from Waverley to Shubenacadie. The first few years in Oakfield, we lived in 'the manse' - that's the house opposite the road into the Laurie property - now Oakfield Park. I saw Doug almost every day since our garage was home to the NSL&P work truck. In the 1950's, dad, Doug and Al Welner, another lineman hired as the area grew, bought adjacent properties in Grand Lake - Dad's opposite the current ballfield / skating rink, Welner's just south of it, while Doug and Helen had the property at the top of the hill, adjacent to the School. Doug, Al and Dad worked together for many years, with the office just across the road next to the current ballfield.
After my dad died, Doug became a father figure to me. Indeed, both Doug and Helen were very special people to me. Doug taught me to play horseshoes, to throw and catch a baseball, to watch out for others and play fair. He also taught us to show appreciate and respect others, as he always did with his wife, Helen.
Later in my teenage years, after Doug and Helen moved to their home on Grand Lake, both Doug and Helen were generous in helping me learn to drive. To this day I hear Doug caution me about driving in the rain and avoiding deep puddles. He had a real gift for teaching. I also appreciated Helen helping me get my driver's license - in their car. Speaking of driving, one special memory, which Helen may recall, was a time in the winter when I knocked on their door about 9:00 PM on a snowy evening. My older car didn't have snow tires and I needed to drive my girl friend home to Halifax. Without any hesitation, Doug handed me the keys to his Mercury, with its excellent tires. Another special memory was Doug teaching me to water ski. I'll never forget the importance to keeping the tow line taught when the boat was changing direction.
Doug was always a good example for me - and willingly offered good advice - on keeping fit, eating well and being respectful of yourself and other people. There was never a question about sloppy work or bad behavior. He always led by example.
So many good times! And so many connections over the years. One of the last times I saw Doug was at Shirley Young's funeral at the little Church in Oakfield. When Doug and I met, he reached out his hand and demonstrated that he still had an awesome grip. It was both playful and serious - and we both appreciated the exchange.
"May you rest in peace knowing that you touched many lives in your time with us."
